TheBruinsBlog.net looks back at the top 10 Bruins moments of calendar year 2010.

Just when it seemed like Sabres wouldn’t go away, the Bruins finally made sure they wouldn’t have to go back to Buffalo.

Underdogs as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference against the Northeast Division champions, the Bruins had won three straight games after dropping the opener of their conference quarterfinal playoff series with Buffalo. But then Boston failed to close things out in Game 5 in Western New York.

David Krejci and Mark Recchi pushed Boston out to a 2-0 lead by the time Game 6 reached the second minute of the second period. But the Sabres scored the next goal and each time Boston scored Buffalo answered, including a Thomas Vanek score that cut the lead to 4-3 with 1:13 remaining in regulation. Finally, despite some nervous moments, the Bruins hung on for the victory. The series was clinched and the trip back to Buffalo was avoided. Tuukka Rask, who tallied 27 saves in Game 6, outplayed Olympian Ryan Miller and the Bruins pulled the upset.

After going a decade between playoff series victories, the Bruins advanced to the second round for the second straight year.